Israel arrests Palestinian football coach for controversial banner on gunman

Israel has arrested the coach of a Palestinian football club after his team posed with a banner celebrating a gunman who killed two Israelis, his lawyer said on Monday.

The controversial banner in question. Image credit: Facebook

Maher Abu Sanina was arrested on Sunday morning, lawyer Mohammed Mahmoud said, a week after players for the Jerusalem-based Hilal Al Quds club posed with a banner hailing Palestinian gunman Misbah Abu Sbeih as a "martyr" and "hero" before a game.

On 9 October, the 39-year-old Palestinian went on a shooting rampage in Jerusalem, killing a police officer and a 60-year-old Israeli woman before being shot dead.

Abu Sanina will appear in court on Wednesday, Mahmoud said.

Police said details of the case were under gag order.

The incident was highlighted by Israeli officials last week ahead of discussions at FIFA's executive committee about banning six Israeli clubs based in settlements in the occupied West Bank.

FIFA decided on Friday to delay the decision, with president Gianni Infantino now expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories.